Cookie Swap! by Lauren ChattmanBack-of-the-book blurb: Cookie swaps are joyful. Cookie swaps are social. Cookie swaps are hip yet old-school, trendy yet traditional. Cookie swaps are creative, inexpensive, DIY, and a great way to entertain. Cookie Swap! captures all of this and more in an idea-packed, slightly sassy guide.
On the one hand, it’s all about the swap: when to swap (Christmas, of course, and other holidays, but also birthdays, bridal showers, graduation parties, PTA meetings, and fund-raisers—or just at your next book club meeting). And how to swap—with a planner, cookie swap math guide (so everyone gets the same number of cookies), ideas for invitations, decorations, containers, and then, when the crumbs have settled, how to make a keepsake.
On the other hand, it’s all about the cookies. Lauren Chattman is a former professional pastry chef and baking writer who’s put together a collection of more than 60 delectable, easy-to-make, simple-to-sophisticated recipes covering every kind of cookie—from crowd-pleasing favorites to unexpected treats. Finally, the book ends with a chapter of drink recipes—such as Iced Irish Coffee, Mini Strawberry Milk Shakes and Juicy Sangria—because not every cookie wants milk.
She Is Too Fond of Books’ big fun cookie-swapping plan: My friend Kristine brought this book to my attention just about the same time I started reading pre-publication teasers about it.
Some of the snippets that caught my attention:
- slightly sassy
- it’s all about the swap
- it’s all about the cookies
- easy-to-make
- drink recipes (because not every cookie wants milk)
The first chapter of the book gives tips and tricks for planning a cookie exchange – everything from themes and invitations, to schedules and checklists is covered. Chattman will use any day as an excuse for a cookie swap, and has ideas for Oktoberfest and Talk Like a Pirate Day in additional to traditional holiday swaps. One favorite set of tips talks about the “laws of the swap”:
- Everyone should move around the table in one direction.
- At each plate, each person should take X number of cookies (and a recipe card if there is one) and move on.
- No “storing” cookies in your mouth or pockets!
Chapter 2 moves from the logistics of the swap to the basics of the kitchen – ingredients, equipment, and storage ideas. I don’t use parchment paper often (why? I think I’m too cheap and wonder why I should pay for paper when I have perfectly good cookie sheets!). However, Chattman has me convinced of the benefits - 1. I can re-use it for subsequent batches on the same baking day, 2. It makes clean up easier. What’s not to like about that? I’ll give it a try!
From here, we move to the glorious recipes – drop cookies, bars, pastry cookies, icebox cookies, sandwich rounds, shaped/cut, biscotti, savory snacks, and accommodations for special diets. I love the layout of the recipe pages – readable (not too small!) font, numbered steps, and a photo of the finished cookie. Most recipes are formatted to fill a double-page spread, so you don’t need to turn the page, and won’t find yourself flipping back and forth (how much coconut extract was I supposed to add?). The basics (yield, bake time) are listed in the left sidebar, along with highlighted “quick prep” and “freeze me” if applicable.
So here’s the plan (so far): Kristine and I are going to each bake two (or more?) batches of cookies to exchange mid-December. We’ll invite some other friends to make it a more traditional cookie swap, and on December 18 I’ll share reviews and feedback on the cookies we made (and my ”first date” with parchment paper). It’ll be my post-swap swap post!
Want to join us in a virtual exchange (or with a group of your friends?)? Pick up a copy of Cookie Swap! (it’s an affordable $15 paperback), check out the Cookie Swap Facebook page, and bake a couple batches of cookies to swap. Then tell us your favorites on December 18.
See what else is happening in the kitchens of the blogosphere this weekend. Check out Beth Fish Reads’ Weekend Cooking to find links to other food-related posts. There may be book reviews, recipes, kitchen gadget tips and tricks, other excuses to bake cookies and get together with friends …
How funny! I saw an ad for this book and I plan on picking it up today! Maybe I’ll have to join you.
Great gift idea – I know a few people who would love this cookbook (me included). Adding it to my shopping list now.
I have this book, so I can join in the fun! I’ve marked it on my calendar – now, I just have to remember to look at my calendar.
gosh…I love cookies….
Back when I actually baked cookies I became a fan of parchment paper. It really does make the cookies bake more evenly and it’s true about the cleanup. And the re-using.
And rule #3 is hilarious.
When the girls were little, our playgroup used to have a cookie sway every year. Have been thinking of resurrecting that tradition. I’ll look for your follow-up post!
if you need a ‘tester,’ let me know…. happy to help
Julie – I really like the format – you can tell it’s a Workman put from the easy-on-the-eyes fonts, pics, and layout. There’s a nut-free section and info on adapting recipes.
Mary – one of the cookies that caught my eye is chocolate shortbread rectangles decorated like dominoes w/mini m&ms. Lots of traditional favorites, new twists, and savory options.
Kathy – LOL! I’ll make a Facebook event and invite you!
caite – I know! not even a week after Halloween, we still have some candy left, and yet … I want cookies!
softdrink – you don’t bake them because you no longer eat them? You have the resolve of a brick wall … strong, strong softdrink! Yes, I’m tossing my thrifty Yankee ways and buying parchment … and promise not to have deep pockets (or an extra large handbag) at the swap
JoAnn – our neighborhood does one just before the holidays. I’ve timed this to be a holiday swap, but Chattman’s book gives so many ideas for year-round themes. It’s ALWAYS cookie time.
Nicole – after the kids get done “testing” there might be only crumbs remaining!
mmmm cookie swap
have fun!
Very cool idea to have an exchange and share cookie assessments. I love parchment and use it all the time! I’ve been going to a cookie exchange for the last few years. If my friend arranges it again, I’ll be sure to report back.
I saw this book in the store yesterday and almost picked it up — maybe I will do so next week so that I can join in the virtual exchange. What a marvelous idea!!
My office does a cookie swap every year. I should get this book for the gal who organizes it.
Cookie swaps are so much fun. I like the idea of expanding them to holidays at other times of the year.
Funny story about cookie swaps. My best friend invited me to one last year, and I totally missed that the point was to bake cookies and share them. I just thought it was a creative party title, and showed up with no cookies at all. I was so embarrassed, but everyone else took it well. This year I will be prepared! I felt so stupid for not getting the gist of what a cookie swap actually meant.
I just heard about this book. I am a HUGE Workman fan. I have to run and get this book today. I am actually having a cookie swap next month. I’ve only been a guest..so this is my first time running one. So excited to read this book.
Susan
Yay! I like this idea a lot!!! I will be in Florida, so maybe I can put a southern spin on my cookies and share them with the folks in the building who can’t bake any longer. Great idea, Dawn! xox